Spencer Tracy

Spencer Tracy was so sick during the filming of "Guess Who's Coming to Dinner" that he couldn't get insurance -- the director and co-star Katherine Hepburn had to put their salaries in escrow in case he died during filming. He died 17 days after filming ended. It was released six months after his death.

Spencer Tracy was so sick during the filming of "Guess Who's Coming to Dinner" that he couldn't get insurance -- the director and co-star Katherine Hepburn had to put their salaries in escrow in case he died during filming. He died 17 days after filming ended. It was released six months after his death. (Getty Images)

Spencer Tracy was so sick during the filming of "Guess Who's Coming to Dinner" that he couldn't get insurance -- the director and co-star Katherine Hepburn had to put their salaries in escrow in case he died during filming. He died 17 days after filming ended. It was released six months after his death.Getty Images